2. University Governance and Administration

2.1 Louisiana Board of Regents

The Board of Regents, a state agency created by the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, coordinates all public higher education in Louisiana. The Board began operations January 1, 1975, succeeding the Coordinating Council for Higher Education.

The 15 volunteer members of the Board of Regents are appointed by the governor to six-year, overlapping terms, with at least one (but not more than two) Regents drawn from each of Louisiana’s seven Congressional districts. In addition, the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents appoints one student member as its representative on the Board.

Policies and decisions of the Board of Regents are administered by a fulltime staff headed by the Commissioner of Higher Education.

Through statewide academic planning and review, budgeting and performance funding, research, and accountability, the Board of Regents coordinates the efforts of the state’s 34 public colleges, universities and professional schools and serves as the state liaison to Louisiana’s accredited, independent institutions of higher learning. While not involved in overseeing the day-to-day operations of college campuses, the Board of Regents is responsible for setting important statewide standards including minimum admissions requirements as well as benchmarks and targets for the GRAD Act, Louisiana’s signature higher education reform policy. The Board of Regents represents the public higher education community before all branches of government and the public and maintains close contact with student interests through the Council of Student Body Presidents.

For additional information, go to http://regents.state.la.us/

2.2 Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

Article VIII, Section 7 of the 1974 Louisiana State Constitution created the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College with authority to supervise and manage the institutions, statewide agricultural programs, and other programs administered through its system. The constitution provides that the membership of the Board is composed of two members from each congressional district and one member from the state at large, appointed by the Governor with confirmation of the Senate. Those members serve six-year terms, which are staggered. In addition, a student member is selected to serve a one-year term.

For additional information, go to http://www.lsusystem.edu

2.3 LSU System

The LSU System is a wide-ranging enterprise that includes institutions, facilities, and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes. Its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution within the LSU System plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and new technologies into their daily lives.

The LSU System Office is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is responsible for the central management and coordination of its institutions. In accordance with the Article VII, Section 2 of the Bylaws & Regulations of the Board of Supervisors, the President of the LSU System serves as executive head of the System in all its divisions and campuses subject to the direction and control of the Board of Supervisors.

For additional information, go to http://www.lsusystem.edu

2.4 University Administration

Responsibilities and reporting lines for the University’s administrative structure are described in the following subsections. An organizational chart for the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport can be found in Appendix 1.

2.4.1 Chancellor

In accordance with the Article VII, Section 4 of the of the Board of Supervisors, the Chancellor exercises complete executive authority over the institution, subject to the direction and control of the President of the LSU System and the Board of Supervisors.

2.4.2 Vice Chancellor For Clinical Affairs

The Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs is responsible for promoting clinical programs of the Health Sciences Center, fostering clinical affiliations with community health care entities, and representing the University in discussions with external agencies about clinical programs.

2.4.3 Vice Chancellor For Administration

The Vice Chancellor for Administration is responsible to the Chancellor for administrative matters of the Health Sciences Center and provides immediate oversight of the general operations of the University.

2.4.4 Dean

The Dean is the chief administrative officer of a School and is responsible for providing leadership and administrative support to the programs and faculty of the school.

The Schools of the University are:

• School of Medicine
• School of Graduate Studies
• School of Allied Health Professions

2.5 Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is a representative body that is responsible for faculty participation in university planning and shared governance. The Senate is also an advisory and consultative body to the Chancellor on policies and other issues related to the general welfare and responsibilities of the faculty. The Faculty Senate shall consist of fifteen elected members of the Faculty and three shall be elected from each of the following: the Clinical Sciences faculty of the School of Medicine, the Basic Sciences faculty of the School of Medicine, and the faculty of the School of Allied Health Professions. There shall also be one additional member from the Basic Sciences faculty, three additional members from the Clinical Sciences faculty, and one member elected from the Graduate Faculty to represent the School of Graduate Studies. One member shall be elected at-large to represent the Faculty at the Council of Faculty Advisors and the LSU Board of Supervisors’ meetings.

Additional information about the Faculty Senate can be found at the following URL:

http://myhsc.lsuhscshreveport.edu/facultysenate/facultysenatehome.aspx

2.6 Councils and Committees

An effectively organized system of councils and committees is essential to the operation of the University. Councils and committees serve a variety of functions, which contribute to the achievement of the institutional mission. Councils and committees:

• keep the several elements of the university informed of the conditions, policies, and decisions which affect their responsibilities and welfare;
• are a means of marshaling the wide range of knowledge and expertise on all subjects available to the university so that it can contribute to decision-making;
• provide a liaison between officers of the university and other areas of university, especially the faculty (through consultation, policy review, and exploration of disagreements, a sound relationship can be maintained among all members of the university community); and
• bring representatives of the appropriate groups in the university together at an early stage in the process of planning and development of policy and programs.

To achieve full effectiveness, councils and committees must be:

• representative of the groups appropriate to their particular functions;
• consulted regularly on a schedule that allows time for participation;
• afforded full and immediate access to the information relevant to their interest;
• able to exercise initiative and review actions as well as respond to proposals put before them; and
• given the benefit of a formal response from the appropriate academic and administrative offices to proposed recommendations or actions.

All councils and committees are given clearly stated charges in writing, and they are asked to make periodic reports to their constituent bodies.

The committee structure of the university is kept flexible by periodic review and revision, assuring that committee work does not absorb an undue amount of faculty, staff, and student time. A current listing of councils and committees, their charges, and their membership is maintained in the Office of the Chancellor.

Standing committees provide the Chancellor and his staff with counsel and assistance regarding areas of the university activity, which are important to the fulfillment of the institutional mission. Standing committees are established by recommendation from the faculty and staff and approval of the Chancellor or his designee. Committees may be altered in their function or abolished upon recommendation of the faculty and staff and approval of the Chancellor or his designee.

The membership of a standing committee varies with its function, and the terms of membership are stated when a committee is established. Membership selection and appointment to the following standing committees are done by the Chancellor, Dean of related school, and/or Committee on Committees:

2.7 Policies and Procedures

2.7.1 Louisiana Board of Regents Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures

Bylaws for the internal operation and the transaction of business for the Board of Regents for the State of Louisiana can be found at the following
URL:

http://regents.la.gov/about-regents/board/bylaws/

In addition, the Academic Affairs policies and Procedures of the Board of Regents can be found at the following URL:

http://regents.la.gov/academic-affairs/policies-procedures/

Policies and procedures of special interest to the faculty include the following:

2.04 Letters of Intent for Projected New Academic Programs
2.05 Proposals for New Academic Programs/Research Units
2.06 Board of Regents Reviews of Existing Academic Programs/Units

2.7.2 Bylaws and Regulations of The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College is vested by law with the authority to supervise and manage the institutions, statewide agricultural programs, and other programs administered through its system. In order to effectively fulfill its responsibilities and duties, the Board of Supervisors  adopts and adheres to the Bylaws and Regulations of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

The Bylaws and Regulations are available at the following URL:

http://www.lsusystem.edu/index.php/policies/bylaws-regulations/

The following sections may be of particular interest to faculty:

Article VII - Rights, Duties and Responsibilities of Principal Administrative
Officers of the University System
Chapter II - Appointments, Promotions and Tenure

2.7.3 LSU System Permanent Memoranda

Permanent Memoranda (PM) represent policies of the Louisiana State University System and are binding on all institutions of the System. PMsaddress policy issues that are of a system-wide character and are established for the purpose of System administrative governance. PMs may implement or interpret laws, rules, regulations, and reflect LSU System policies.

The LSU System takes care to assure that PMs, when issued, are in compliance with applicable controlling laws, rules, regulations, and policies. However, it is recognized that changes in such laws, rules, regulations, and policies may result in all or a portion of a PM becoming incorrect or outdated until necessary revision is made. In such cases, those portions of PMs that are contrary to or in conflict with any controlling law, rule, regulation or policy are superseded. To the extent that the remainder of a PM is unaffected by a change in controlling laws, rules, regulations or policies, the remaining portion of the PM will remain valid and in effect (unless the PM itself states otherwise). PMs do not form a part of any employee’s contract or appointment with the University or grant rights to any party.

A complete listing of all Permanent Memoranda can be found at the following URL:

http://www.lsusystem.edu/index.php/policies/permanent-memoranda/

Specific PMs of interest to LSUHSC-S faculty include the following:

2.7.4 LSUHSC-S Chancellor’s Memoranda

Chancellor’s Memoranda (CM) represent policies of the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport. CMs address policy issues that are of a university-wide character and are established for the purpose of institutional administrative governance. A complete listing of all Chancellor Memoranda can be found at the following URL:

http://www.medcom.lsuhscshreveport.edu/cfdocs/policies/Chancellors_Index.cfm

CMs of special interest to LSUHSC-S faculty include the following:

2.7.5 LSUHSC-S Administrative Directives

Administrative Directives are policies and procedures for the administration of the LSUHSC-S. A complete listing of all Administrative Directives can be found at the following URL:

http://www.medcom.lsuhscshreveport.edu/cfdocs/policies/Admin_Directives.cfm

Administrative Directives of special interest to LSUHSC-S faculty include the following: